The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

Yesterday at 8:00 AM  An effort to maintain a tax break for ethanol blended fuel has won state Senate approval.

Friday, May 17, 2013  Iowa lawmakers have reached a spending compromise for Iowa's public universities and other education programs.

Monday, May 13, 2013  Some Iowans are starting to worry about what the debate means for their doctor visits.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013  The Iowa Senate is set to debate and likely reject a miscellaneous spending bill that now includes a number of contentious policy measures.

Saturday, May 04, 2013  The Republican-majority Iowa House has approved legislation that would change collective bargaining rules in the state.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013  The Iowa Senate has approved a measure that would require people convicted of certain aggravated misdemeanors to submit DNA samples for a federal databank.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013  Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Iowa House have given committee-level approval to a budget for the Health and Human Services agency that would bar the use of Medicaid funds for abortion.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013  Senate Democrats have offered a new compromise on education policy that would allow school districts to opt out of adopting changes.

Friday, April 26, 2013  Twenty-one Iowa senators have signed a resolution that if approved would make abortion illegal in the state.

Thursday, April 25, 2013  The Iowa attorney general is pushing for a bill that would expand the collection of DNA samples to include people convicted of less serious crimes.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  The bill would give an incentive for small farmers to donate produce by providing a 15 percent state income tax break on the market value of donations worth less than $5,000.

Monday, April 15, 2013  What should Iowa do with the extra money sitting in the state's bank accounts?

Saturday, April 13, 2013  A measure that would permit the use of all-terrain vehicles on some roads is gaining support in the Iowa Legislature.

Friday, April 05, 2013  Governor Branstad says he's still hopeful there might be action on the issue.

Thursday, April 04, 2013  The Senate and the House have developed different versions of Governor Terry Branstad's plan to improve Iowa schools.